analysis of beyonce
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Music Video Analysis:
Beyoncé ‘Run the
World’
By Katrina Lee-Smith
Beyonce looks regal the
nice red dress reflects
her serious attitude and
elite & prestige appearance.
Seems to be standing against something
The manner she is standing in creates a pride appearance about her especially as she is standing alone makes her the centre of attention all eyes are drawn to her
Prior to the beginning scene- looks riot scene men are excited and running around and women are calm and serious
Introduced as men vs women shows that women are more dominant and powerful in this rather than it being men
This shot of her in the middle shows that she’s the star, which tracks her movement and establishes the scene.
The use of close ups in the video illustrate Beyoncé's significance and her fiery emotions. By using close ups it enhances the fierce atmosphere using dark makeup and a dark background distinguishes her from the rest of the performers. This portrays her female dominance in the video developing her star image.
These two shots Beyonce also enhances her star imagery as there is a flag of her and as she rides in on a horse.
In addition as she is the only that is on a horse it is a clear distinction between the performers and the artist.
Looks like an army of women-
she’s always the main attention
stands out different from the
rest
Mis
-En-S
cene
All wearing stockings,
extremely seductive. Some
features of the male gaze is
there however the women are
more powerful in this
The Close up of Beyonce- looks significant. The Egyptian head jewellery makes her look high and mighty as she stands out from the rest looks dominant Her appearance is similar to an
empress. This gives her an authoritative figure
Due to the flag and coordinated army hats and clothing makes them look united considering that they’re saluting Beyonce
Looks seductive; lips apart, Smokey eye make up, looks wild and fierce.
Edit
ing, Tr
ansi
tions
& S
peci
al e
ffect
s
By amplifying women in a distinctive
manner illustrating their powerful and
fierce feline characteristics. This links in
to Goodwin’s theory. As this can be
seen in the relationship between visuals
and lyrics- ‘Who run the world, girls!’.
The quick cuts between each scene displaying the diverse shots of scenarios of the story that is being told (lyrics).
Quick movement and
explosion in time of the beat
This video is targeted at female audience to demonstrate that they too can be just as powerful and dominant as men are.
Inte
rtex
tualit
y
In this there is a close
up of the men’s footwear, which is of a
brand called Converse.
This could be seen as
a sign of intertextuality
Theori
es:
Laura
M
ulv
ey
The close up of her licking her finger is seductive which makes her active and the males passive as they are seen as weak and can be taken for advantage.
Using various close ups of
Beyonce’s body can highlight
seductive references to
demonstrate her power and
success to take control and rule
over men. For example in this shot she
manipulates the man by giving
a seductive appearance and
takes something from his
pocket. However he doesn’t
seem to impressed by it.
Men are afraid- standing there with riot shields and moving back from them. Again this reverses the conventions of the theory as they fear women and they are more dominant.
They salute confirming her new
authority as she’s taken it away
from the man, confirming that
women have won- that women
‘run the world’.
She strips h
is authority
and takes
his dignity whilst
doing it is a
s well,
strips h
im from his m
anhood. She’s
physically taken it off of him.
Andre
w G
oodw
in
Conventions of the music video: The convention of her as an artist and convention of the genre of music to have dancing in it.
Men move back in fear as she comes towards them
Men are scared of the women. This challenges the stereotype convention that men are more dominant than women, whereas women are more authoritative and prevailing in this.
Nation of women; ‘My
persuasion can build a nation’-
Men are outnumbered.
Women are united by the
way they are dressed and
dancing the same working
together as nation/union by
working together in their
actions against men.
The women look vicious,
commanding, just like men.
Although in this the men
look powerless and helpless.
This is usually how women
are portrayed as a cry for
help and always in need of
saving.
Stu
art
Hall
There are various reasons which Beyonce’s
music video would appeal to the audience.
This is due to the mis-en-scene, the
conventions of it, the challenges of it and the
use of camera shots.
Beyonce uses a range of choreography to
shape her music video to the genre of R’n’B.
This is what creates her to be such a success
as she challenged the labels of men and
women and reverses it to create a powerful
message to her audience.
Additionally the beat of the music and the
quick edits can be used at different events
including parties. This can attract and suit her
target audience. The rhythm and beat of the
is taken from an original song called ‘Pon de
floor’. This song is also a partying song and
therefore people can dance to it as well. This
will grasp a wide range of people’s attention
as it has a mix of sounds in the song to allow
the audience to listen to it whenever as it suits
a range of locations.